So for the past nine months Jack and I have been keeping this between ourselves and didn't even bother to tell our two daughters this life changing news. But when my "bad white cells" started rising this August I broke the news to my daughters, our extended families in Ohio and Missouri and to lots of neighbors and associates around Haymarket,VA. I'm glad that I have done so because I have gotten so much great support that I think it really has made a big difference in my outlook.The latest news is that this past week I started a one week round of chemo for fighting the leukemia. Each month for six months I will do a week of chemo and then rest and watch the little bad white cells hopefully disappear. Of course, one consequence of chemo treatment is the possibility of losing your hair. To prepare for that I'm now sporting a short haircut and have a wig already waiting in my closet if I need it. In the meantime I have been reading up everything I can find on Leukemia and Cancer and have joined a great cancer support group at the Lake Manassas Cancer Center which is located on state route #29 not far from our house.
I have also discovered a lot of cancer blogs on the web. Many are just devoted to the person's fight against the disease. But I don't want to limit my blog to that. Leukemia is just one small part of my life. This week I will discuss it with you dear blog readers but after this week I will limit my cancer reports to maybe one or two a month.Now look at this pretty floral bouquet complete with tiny stuffed bear. How precious. I got these last week from our good pals in Arizona, Jim and Nancy Freauff. Thanks guys!
Now go visit lots of other My World Tuesday memes by just clicking here:
http://showyourworld.blogspot.com
http://showyourworld.blogspot.com
Joann: Cancer is a serious fight that can be won. The fight may have some tolls to pay but pay then and fight on. The good thing is that you are a strong women and will put this sickness behind you soon.
ReplyDeleteJoann, thank you so much for telling us. I agree with Fishing Guy, you are a fighter and will come through with flying colors. In the meantime I'll be sending you loads of healing thoughts. I'm so glad you've got the support of your family and friends. You've certainly got it here.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joann, for sharing your story with us and I agree with the others, you are a fighter and will come through this. I, too, will be holding good and healing thoughts for you. So glad you have such a supportive group of family and friends!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
I'm sorry you're having to deal with this. I'll be sending out good thoughts for you.
ReplyDeleteI initially started as a cancer blogger (node positive melanoma). Carver's Sight or is that Site was my first blog and most of my posts were about dealing with cancer, appointment, etc. Then I started talking more about gardening and was doing some photo memes. My second blog Carver Cards was going to be mostly a photo blog but at this point so is Carver's Sight. I almost never talk about the health stuff except when my scans come up or something like that.
Sorry that got so long but my point was I understand you not wanting to limit yourself to cancer blogging. Great shots in this post.
With you, heart and soul. God bless, friend.
ReplyDeletewith GOD's grace and mercy, you can win this battle. hang in there and we, (your readers) will accompany you through this difficult times in your life.
ReplyDeletewith hugs and love.
Good luck and God speed with your recovery! Cancer can be a scary disease and chemo a hard treatment. Sharing your news, especially with family, was a wise decision. You will have more support and they will have the knowledge that they supported you in a time of need.
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave woman, Joann! Thanks for confiding in us. It's better to tell everybody what is going on. There are so many people around me fighting cancer and the way you do it is admirable.My thoughts are with you.
ReplyDeleteI see that you read a lot and, among other books, Dan Brown's
"Angels and Demons". The way the priests were killed was very cruel, but the book is very well written.
I know you will beat this with all the love and support you have around you! Just no other way.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've shared the news with family and friends. In any kind of fight, backup is important.
ReplyDeleteWith your great attitude, I think you and the chemo will scare off all the bad white cells.
The flowers with the little bear are cute. So sweet of your friends to find a way to make you smile.
Joann,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your journey with us. Good luck with your fight! You have a wonderful attitude.
Joann, thanks for letting us all know about your battle. If you have to have it, glad it is the slow kind. Always keep thinking positive thoughts. I was very lucky with the kind of cancer I had, I only had to do radiation treatments. But the first time they told me I had it, I just knew they had me mixed up with another patient. Then when I got it again, ten years later, it didn't bother me as much. But that thought is still there in the mind at all times. It's scary when first told, then you get kind of angry, and then I thought to myself, I'm glad I live in a day and age when almost anything can be overcome. With this last bout, I also am taking medication once a day for five years, it will be three years this coming Dec. So I still have about two more to go. Happy thoughts are being sent your way.
ReplyDeleteOh no (as my nearly two-year-old daughter would say)! Thanks for sharing. Our thoughts are with you.
ReplyDelete